Process for making bicyclic lactone derivatives for use as intermediates in the synthesis of prostaglandins

ABSTRACT

A process for the preparation of optically active or racemic lactone diol derivatives of the formula ##STR1## (for use as intermediates in the Corey prostaglandin synthesis). Optically active or racemic lactone diol derivatives are inclosed, in which 
     R 3  and R 4  are the same or different and stand for a hydrogen, or a lower alkanoyl optionally substituted with one, two or three halogen atoms, or form together a ##STR2##  group, in which R 5  and R 6  are the same or different and stand for a hydrogen, alkyl or aryl, with a process for preparing them. 
     According to the invention the above compound are prepared by reacting optically active or racemic lactone of the formula II with formaldehyde or with a formaldehyde polymerisate, in the presence of the mixture of a strong acid and water or of a lower alkane carboxylic acid optionally substituted with one, two or three halogen atoms, and then optionally subjecting the obtained compound of the general formula I, in which R 3  and/or R 4  stand for an alkanoyl optionally substituted with one, two or three halogen atoms to partial or total hydrolysis or alcoholysis in an acid or alkaline medium and/or reacting it with the oxo-compounds of the formula R 5  --CHO or R 6  --CO--R 5  or with the acetals of the above compounds. 
     The compounds according to the invention are useful intermediates in the Corey prostaglandine synthesis.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 770,998, filed Feb. 22, 1977, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,622.

This invention relates to a process for making certain optically active or racemic lactone diol derivatives. Such compounds are useful as intermediates in the Corey prostaglandin synthesis.

Natural prostaglandins constitute a group of compounds having outstanding biological activity among the endogenous tissue hormones. Starting from the late sixties when the natural prostaglandins were isolated and their structure was evaluated , intensive research has been undertaken to perfect methods for synthesizing these compounds and to prepare compounds of analogous structure--the so called prostanoides--in order to evaluate their pharmacological activity [J.A.C.S., 93, 4326 (1971)]. The nomenclature and biological activity of the prostaglandines and the methods for the synthesis thereof are disclosed in numerous monographs and other publications (e.g. Arzneimittel Forsch. 25, 135 (1975).

For the solution of stereochemical problems, the synthesis described in J.A.C.S., 91 5675 (1969), ibid. 92, 397 (1970), and ibid 93, 1490, (1971) is outstanding among the various totalsynthesis methods, and fulfills also the requirements of industrial realization. The end product of this synthesis is PGF₂α, which can be easily transformed into other pharmaceutically important natural prostaglandins, e.g. into PGE₁, PGE₂, PGF₁α or PGF₁β.

During the above synthesis the Wittig reaction is employed for the stereoselective formation of double bonds. Use is made of the ability arising from the structure of prostaglandins, to form a trans-double bond with the necessary phosphonate (stabilized ylide) in the side-chain containing an allyl alcohol moiety, and at the same time to produce in the other side-chain with the phosphorane generated from the 4-carboxybutyl-triphenylphosphonium bromide (reactive ylide) a cis-olefin.

The key--intermediate of the synthesis is the socalled "Corey aldehyde" having four centers of asymmetry with the same absolute and relative configuration as in PGF₂α. According to this synthesis the aldehyde of the formula III ##STR3## is prepared by oxidizing the alcohol of the formula IV, as is illustrated in reaction 1 below: ##STR4##

The stereochemically controlled reaction for the preparation of the alcohol of the formula IV may be depicted by reaction: ##STR5##

Many modifications of this synthesis have been published in various publications and patents [for example J.C.S. Chem. Comm. 151 (1974); ibid 642 (1974); ibid 39 (1975); J.A.C.S., 96, 5261 (1974)].

However, none of these versions modifies the sequence of reactions resulting in the formation of the suitable stereoisomer [6a(S), 3a(R), 4(S), 5(R)] of the hexahydro-2(H)-cyclopentano[b]furane derivative of the formula IV. In all cases the following reactants are used in the following order: bicyclo[2,2,1]heptene-one derivatives prepared by a stereochemically controlled Diels-Alder reaction are subjected to a regiospecific Baeyer-Villinger oxydation, the obtained δ-lactone is hydrolyzed to a hydroxy-acid which is then subjected to a iodine-lactone forming reaction, to yield the above compound of the formula IV is obtained.

However, the synthesis of reaction 2 has a number of disadvantages. The preparation of the compounds of the formula IV in this manner is extremely complicated and expensive due to the large number of reaction steps, and to the fact that the reagents are difficult to obtain (for example α-chloro-acrylic acid chloride and chloromethyl benzylester may be prepared by a synthesis having more reaction steps) and are toxic (e.g. thallium compounds, tributyl-one hydride).

The intermediate of the formula V which may replace the compound of the formula III in the Corey synthesis can be prepared by the method described. [J.A.C.S., 95, 6853 (1973)]and illustrated by reaction 3, infra. ##STR6##

It can be seen however that even this synthesis consists of numerous reaction steps, and the isomers obtained by the epoxidation require separation on a chromatographic column, which makes the process complicated and expensive.

We have surprisingly found that the compounds of the formula I ##STR7## wherein R³ and R⁴ are identical or different and each is hydrogen or lower alkanoyl which can be substituted with one, two or three halogens or together form a ##STR8## group, wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are identical or different and each is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl,

can be prepared in a much simpler way according to the method of this invention.

Our invention resides in the realization that the Prins reaction has a stereospecific trans-addition character [Chem. Revs. 51, 505 (1952)]. The stereochemistry and the reaction mechanism of the Prins reaction, which consists in the addition reaction of formaldehyde on olefins in the presence of an acid catalyst, has already been evaluated to large extent [Bull. Chem. Soc. Chem. France, 357 (1952)].

Although the Prins reaction is not necessarily regiospecific, generally it proceeds stereospecifically. The acid in the reaction medium performs a dual role: reacting with the monomer formaldehyde it produces the methylol cation (⁺ CH₂ OH) which attacks, in the first reaction step, the π-electron system of the double bond, and on the other hand it acts as a catalyst in the depolymerizing reaction of the formaldehyde polymer (parafomaldehyde, trioxymethylene). The said can be sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, borontrifluoride etherate etc.

The end products of the Prins reaction depend to a large extent on the solvent employed (e.g. acetic acid, water, aprotic solvent). In the generally used acetic acid and water solvents the main product is the hydroxy-methyl alcohol derived from the olefin used, and the acetylated as well as 1,3-dioxane-derivatives thereof. The latter product is obtained by means of formaldehyde.

In our process the known 3,3a,6,6a-tetrahydro-2H-cyclopentano[b]furane-2-on of the formula II ##STR9## (the other conventional name of the compound is: cis-2-oxa-bicyclo[3,3,0]oct-6-ene-3-on) and its optically active forms, the (-)-[6a(S), 3a(R)]- and the (+)-[6a(R), 3a(S)]-isomers, that is the (-) and (+) compounds of the formula II are used as the olefin component in carrying out the Prins reaction. The above compound is disclosed for example in the Tetr. Lett. 307-310, 1970.

The compound of the formula II can be prepared in one reaction step by the addition of mono- or dichloroethene on cyclopentadiene, or by oxidizing the known (3,2,0)hept-5-ene-2-on of the formula VI ##STR10## with hydrogen peroxide. The resolution of the compound of the formula II with (+)-α-methyl-benzylamine has also been described in the literature (J.A.C.S., 95, 6832 /1973/). For the preparation of the enantiomers of the compound of the formula II an asymmetric synthesis comprising three steps is described in J.A.C.S. 95, 7171 (1973). The compound of the formula II in its racemic and optically active (+) and (-) forms ##STR11## as well has played a deciding role in the synthesis of various prostanoids and prostanoid intermediates, respectively [Tetr. Lett. 4753 (1971); ibid. 3091 (1973); J.A.C.S. 95, 6832 (1973); Tetr. Lett. 2439 (1974)]. For transformation of the above compound into natural prostaglandins, however, only a very complicated reaction has been described based on the conjugated addition of lithium dialkenyl cuprates or mixed cuprates, which could be prepared only under exact and complicated reaction conditions and after some subsequent chromatographic purification steps of high level.

As a result of our investigations we found that the reaction of the racemic or optically active compound of the formula II with formaldehyde in the presence of a sulphuric acid catalyst (Prins reaction) is regio- as well as stereospecific, when carried out in an acetic acid medium and, as a main product, the compound of the formula (IC) ##STR12## is obtained with an excellent yield, while the quantity of the compounds of the formula (Ia) ##STR13## is between 5 and 10% depending on the reaction conditions. Thus the formation of the partially acetylated compounds of the formula (Ia) and (Ib) is a function of the temperature, of the quality of the formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde and trioxymethylene used, and of the water content of the acetic acid solvent. These partially acetylated products can be eliminated only by a subsequent in suti acetylation carried out for example with acetic anhydride.

As a consequence of the mechanism of Prins reaction the main product of the reaction, the compound of the formula Ia is susceptible to a proton catalysed acyl migrating reaction, when the compound of the formula (Ib) is obtained. Both of the partially acetylated lactone diols can be acetylated in the presence of a proton donor catalyst, but the water formed during the esterification remains in the system, and thus an equilibrium mixture is obtained with a composition depending on the reaction conditions. (See reaction 4): ##STR14## The rate of the acetylation of the compounds of the formulae (Ia) and (Ib), respectively is different. As is expected, the primary hydroxyl can be acetylated at a several times higher rate than the secondary hydroxyl. The rate of the acyl migration in the secondary→primer direction is higher then in the opposite direction.

The formation of partially acetylated products does not constitute a disadvantage when the acetylated products are subjected to a hydrolysis catalyzed by an alkali alkoxide, alkali carbonate or by an acid, or to alcoholysis. The alcoholysis can be accomplished in the presence of at most 10 to 20 mole percent of an acid catalyst. The alcoholysis catalyzed by an acid can be completed in the presence of a catalytic amount of a mineral acid or an arylsulphonic acid by distilling off the resulting alkyl acetate. The alcoholysis is carried out preferably with methanol, since the obtained methylacetate has an advantageously low boiling point and thus is easy to distill off. By the acid or alkaline hydrolysis of the product mixture obtained by the Prins reaction the lactone diol of the formula VII is prepared. ##STR15## The compound of the formula VII is known in the art (J.A.C.S., 93, 1491 (1971). In the cited reference another method for the preparation of the compound, its melting point and optical rotatory power are described. The physical characteristics of the compound of the formula VII prepared according to our method are identical with those published in the literature.

When the optically active compound of the formula VII is prepared by acid catalyzed methanolysis, the crystalline raw product remained after evaporating the solvent can be subjected to the selective acylation into the compound of the formula IV (Hungarian patent) or to the selective oxidation into the compound of the formula V (U.S. Patent application) 770, 997without any further purification.

The alcoholysis catalyzed by alkali alkoxide or alkali carbonate can be performed at room temperature, but in this case it is expedient to eliminate the salt resulted by the neutralization prior to evaporating the solvent, for example by passing the mixture through a silica gel column.

The compound of the formula VII can be recrystallized from ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate/hexane or acetonitrile/ether. After recrystallization the compound of the formula VII is obtained at a yield of 80 to 90% (calculated from the starting compound of the formula II).

The primary product mixture obtained by the Prins reaction can be transformed by in situ acetylation into the lactone diol diacetate of the formula (IC) almost quantitatively. Thus the compound of the formula (IC), which is a new compound, can be obtained with a yield of 90 to 95% when starting from the compound of the formula II.

In order to prove the absolute and relative configuration of the compound of the formula (IC) prepared by the Prins reaction, we prepared the compound also according to the reaction diagram 5. ##STR16## We started from the iodine lactone of the formula VIII shown in the Corey synthesis, and subjected the compound to a series of transformations influencing none of the chiral centres. The thus obtained compound including its optical rotatory power was identical with the left-hand rotating compound of the formula Ic prepared from the (-) compound of the formula (II) by the Prins reaction.

The compound of the formula Ia can be prepared by the partial solvolitic deacetylation of the lactone diol diacetate of the formula (IC). The compound of the formula (Ia) can be employed in the Corey synthesis in the same way as the compound of the formula (IV). We found that this desacetylation can not be absolutely selective due to the acyl migration described above. The quantity of the compounds of the formula Ib and Ic in the reaction mixture, however, can be minimized by finding the optimum proton, alkoxide and carbonate concentrations, reaction time and, above all reaction temperature. After the partial deacetylation the compound of the formula (Ia) can be separated from the compounds of the formula (Ib) and (Ic) by column chromatography. The separation is carried out on a silicagel column by the gradient elution technique using ethylacetate/methanol mixture of increasing methanol concentration as an eluent. The first fractions contain the compound of the formula (Ib), the following fractions the compound of the formula (Ia), and then the compound of the formula (Id) is obtained. ##STR17##

When reacting the obtained lactone diol of the formula (Id) with excess of paraformaldehyde in benzene, in the presence of a small amount of phosphorous oxychloride catalyst, in a closed system, at room temperature for some days, a 1,3-dioxane-derivative of the formula IX ##STR18## is obtained, wherein R⁵ and R⁶ is hydrogen. The traces of this product can be detected also among the products of the Prins reaction. The above-outlined reaction leading to the formation of a cyclic acetal can be performed also with other aldehydes and ketones. Thus when replacing formaldehyde by benzaldehyde or acetone, respectively, a compound of the formula IX is obtained, in which R⁵ is phenyl and R⁶ is hydrogen or R⁵ and R⁶ stand for a methyl each. The thus obtained compounds of the formula IX are useful intermediates, which contain the two hydroxyls of the compound of the formula (Id) in a protected form. The protecting cyclic acetal, however, can be easily removed in a mild acid medium.

In the Prins reaction performed with the compound of the formula II the acetic acid can be replaced also by other lower alkane carboxylic acids. The reaction can be carried out also with lower alkane carboxylic acids containing one, two or three halogens, when those compounds of the formula I are obtained, in which R³ and R⁴ represent a hydrogen and/or an appropriate acyl group.

The reaction can be accomplished also in the absence of an acid. In this case the concentrated sulphuric acid catalyst and then the compound of the formula (II) are added to an aqueous formaldehyde solution.

The closed system is then kept at 70° C. for 70 to 80 hours. The main product is the compound of the formula (Id), but a compound of the formula (IX), in which R⁵ and R⁶ are hydrogen is also obtained in a small amount. The compound of the formula (Id) can be isolated from the mixture by chromatography. The following examples are for illustration only.

EXAMPLE 1

The addition of formaldehyde on (-)-3,3aβ,6,6aβ-tetrahydro-2H-cyclopenteno[b]furane-2-to

In a sealable glass tube or in a flask equipped with a glass stopper 2.1 g. of paraformaldehyde (polyoxymethylene) are suspended in 15 ml. of glacial acetic acid and 1 g. of concentrated sulphuric acid is added dropwise, with stirring, at room temperature. After a brief stirring the 50 to 70 percent of formaldehyde polymer dissolves (the depolymerization can be completed by keeping the mixture at 50° to 60° C. for 30 to 40 minutes). Thereafter the solution of 2.3 g. (18.5 mmoles) of (-)-3,3aβ,6,6aβ-tetrahydro-2H-cyclopenteno[b]furane-2-on [(-) compound of the formula II] in 18 ml. of glacial acetic acid is added to the above solution at 20° to 25° C., dropwise, with stirring. The addition is accomplished in 5 to 10 minutes. The tube or flask is closed and the temperature is increased up to 70° C. in 1 to 3 hours. The mixture is stirred at this temperature for 24 to 30 hours. The temperature is then increased to 80° C. and the reaction mixture is stirred at this temperature for 20 to 24 hours, upon which the reaction mixture shows a pale brownish color. Upon cooling the mixture is acidified and 3 g. of dry sodium acetate are added, then the most of the resulted acetic acid is evaporated in vacuo (15 torr, 40° to 50° C.). The residue is dissolved in ethyl acetate (20 to 30 ml.) and washed to neutral with several portion of saturated sodium carbonate solution. The aqueous washing is extracted with 3×15 ml. of ethylacetate. The combined ethylacetate solutions are washed with 2×5 ml. of brine, dried over magnesium sulphate, and the solvent is removed. 4.5 to 4.8 g. of yellowish-brown oil are obtained. According to the t.l.c. measurements 90% of the obtained product is the lactone diol diacetate of the formula (Ic).

EXAMPLE 2

(-)-3,3aβ,4,5,6,6aβ-hexahydro-4β-acetoxymethyl-5α-acetoxy-2H-cyclopenta[b]furane-2-on [compound of the formula (Ic)]

The Prins reaction is carried out as described in Example 1, with the only difference that after opening the flask and adding the sodium acetate only half of the acetic acid is evaporated, then 2 to 3 ml. of acetic anhydride are added to the reaction mixture, which is then allowed to stir at 40° to 50° C. for 2 hours, and evaporated. The residue is worked up according to the Example 1. Eluting the obtained compound of the formula (Ic) on a silicagel column (200 to 250 g) with a 1:1 mixture of dichloromethane and ethyl acetate 3.8 to 4 g. of a product having the following physical characteristics are obtained:

[α]_(D) ²⁵ =57.6°±0.5° (c=0.93, chloroform)

R_(f) =0.53 (on a GF₂₅₄ "Kieselgel nach Stahl" plate, with ethyl acetate)

R_(f) =0.38 (on the above plate with 1:1 mixture of benzene and ethyl acetate)

R_(f) =0.17 (on the above plate, with a 3:1 mixture of benzene and ethyl acetate)

R_(f) =0.71 (on the above plate, with 6:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and methanol

IR (νmax)=2950, 1770, 1740, 1360, 1230, 1160, 1060 and 1030 cm⁻¹.

NMR (C¹³): In the brackets the results of the off-resonance and the assignments of the structural elements are given. ##STR19##

EXAMPLE 3

(-)-3,3aβ,4,5,6,6aβ-hexahydro-4β-hydroxymethyl-5α-hydroxy-2H-cyclopenta[b]furane-2-on [compound of the formula Id)]

To the solution of 768 mg. (3 mmoles) of lactone diol diacetate of the formula (Ic) in 15 ml. of methanol 5 ml. of 0.6 M solution of sodiummethoxide in methanol are added at room temperature. The reaction is completed in 45 to 50 minutes. According to the t.l.c. measurements the solution contains only the named compound. Thereafter 0.3 to 0.5 ml. of acetic acid are added to the reaction mixture dropwise, with stirring and the methanol is removed by evaporation in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in 10 ml of a 4:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and methanol and the solution is passed through a column made of 12 to 15 g. of silica gel. The column is washed with 80 to 100 ml. of a 4:1 ethyl acetate/methanol mixture. If the lactone diol diacetate contained also the traces of the unsaturated lactone of the formula (II) remained from the Prins reaction, the first 1 to 25 ml. of the eluate are collected separately. The following 35 to 80 ml. of eluate contain the chemically pure compound of the formula (Id). Evaporating this fraction, 400 to 500 ml. of product are obtained. Before a possible further purification the product is preferably dissolved in a small amount of acetonitrile and diluted with ether until slight turbidity. The pure product crystallizes in well-shaped crystals when kept in a refrigerator. Physical characteristics:

Melting point: 117.5° to 118.5° C.

[α]_(D) ²⁵ =-43.4°±0.5° (c=1.4, methanol).

R_(f) =0.1 (on a GF₂₅₄ "Kieselgel nach Stahl" plate, with ethyl acetate)

R_(f) =0.35 (on the above plate but with a 6:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and methanol)

IR (max)=3350, 2900, 1755, 1170, 1070 and 1030 cm⁻¹.

The product proved to be identical with an authentic sample prepared in another way.

EXAMPLE 4

(-)-3,3aβ,4,5,6,6aβ-hexahydro-4β-hydroxymethyl-5α-hydroxy-2H-cyclopenta[b]furane-2-on [compound of the formula (Id)]

To the solution at 910 mg. (3.58 mmoles) of lactone diol diacetae of the formula (Ic) in 15 ml. of methanol the solution of 50 mg. of p-toluene-sulphonic acid in 3 ml. of methanol is added and the reaction mixture is stirred in a flask equipped with a distillation condenser in a water bath at 68° to 72° C., distilling off the formed methyl acetate. The reaction is completed in about 8 to 10 hours after distilling off about 5 to 6 ml. of a methyl acetate/methanol mixture. By increasing the temperature of the water bath, a further 5 to 6 ml. portion of methanol is distilled off, and the residue is eliminated by azeatropic distillation with benzene (boiling point of the azeotropic mixture: 56° C.). The benzene is evaporated in vacuo and the product is purified by column chromatography as in the previous example. 570 to 580 mg. (93 to 95%) of the named compound are obtained. The physical characteristics of the obtained product are identical with those of the compound of the Example 3.

EXAMPLE 5

(-)-3,3aβ,4,5,6,6aβ-hexahydro-4β-hydroxymethyl-5α-acetoxy-2H-cyclopenta[b]furane-2-on [compound of the formula (Ia)]

To the solution of 600 mg. (2.36 mmoles) of lactone diol diacetate of the formula (Ic) in 15 ml. of methanol the solution of 40 mg. of p-toluene-sulphonic acid in 3 ml. of methanol is added and the reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 8 to 10 hours. The reaction is controlled by t.l.c.

The R_(f) values of the main products in the mixture detected on a GF₂₅₄ "Kiselgel nach Stahl" plate are the following:

    ______________________________________                                                                6:1 mixture of ethyl                                    Formula   Ethyl acetate                                                                               acetate and methanol                                    ______________________________________                                         Ia        0.26         0.49                                                    Ib        0.42         0.61                                                    Ic        0.53         0.71                                                    Id        0.10         0.35                                                    ______________________________________                                    

After the reaction is completed the mixture is worked up as described in Example 4. The obtained pale yellow oil is subjected to chromatography on a silica gel column of 50 to 100-times volume using an ethyl acetate/methanol mixture as eluent, gradually increasing the methanol concentration from the ratio of 8:1 up to 3:1. The fractions are subjected to t.l.c. measurements, and the fractions containing the same products are combined and evaporated. Thus 310 mg (62%) of lactone diol monoacetate of the formula Ia are obtained.

EXAMPLE 6

(±)-3,3aβ,4,5,6,6aβ-hexahydro-4β-hydroxymethyl-5α-hydroxy-2H-cyclopenta[b]furane-2-on-formaldehyde acetal (compound of the general formula (IX), wherein R⁵ and R⁶ is hydrogen)

1 g. (5.88 mmoles) of lactonediol of the formula (Id) and 1 g. of paraformaldehyde are shaken in 20 ml. of benzene and then some drops of boron trifluoride etherate are added. The flask is closed and allowed to stand at room temperature for 4 days. After 4 days the reaction mixture is neutralized with triethyl amine, the precipitated salt is filtered off, the solvent is evaporated and the remaining oil is recrystallized from an ether/hexane mixture. The named compound is obtained R_(f) =0.37 (ethyl acetate).

EXAMPLE 7

(±)-3,3aβ,4,5,6,6aβ-hexahydro-4β-hydroxymethyl-5α-hydroxy-2H-cyclopenta[b]furane-2-on-benzaldehyde-acetal (compound of the formula (IX), wherein R⁵ is phenyl and R⁶ is hydrogen)

722 mg. (2.71 mmoles) of the racemic lactone diol diacetate of the formula (Ic) in 5 ml. of benzene are combined with the solution of 455 mg. (2.99 mmoles) of benzaldehyde diacetal in 4 ml. of benzene and the solution of 5 mg. of concentrated sulphuric acid in 0.2 ml. of methanol is added to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is heated for 15 to 20 hours and the methyl acetate is distilled off continuously. When the reaction is completed the mixture is neutralized with triethyl amine, the precipitated salt is filtered off and the filtrate is evaporated. The residue is dissolved in 10 ml. of absolute ether and crystallized upon addition of petroleum ether. The named compound is obtained. R_(f) =0.51 (ethyl acetate).

EXAMPLE 8

(±)-3,3aβ,4,5,6,6aβ-hexahydro-4β-hydroxymethyl-5α-hydroxy-2H-cyclopenta[b]furane-2-on-acetoneacetal (compound of the general formula IX, wherein R⁵ and R⁶ is methyl)

To 102 mg. (0.56 mmoles) of the lactone diol of the formula (Id) in 10 ml. of benzene 2 ml. of 2,2-dimethoxypropane (acetone-dimethylacetal) and 25 mg. of p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate are added. The reaction mixture is kept at 75° to 80° C. allowing the azeotropic mixture to distill off but keeping back the acetone/dimethyl acetal. After 9-10 hours the reaction is completed. Upon evaporating the reaction mixture a darked oil is obtained, which is dissolved in 5 ml. of ether, then crystallized upon the addition of 5 ml. of petroleum ether. 57 mg. of the named compound are obtained.

R_(f) =0.50 (on a GF₂₅₄ "Kieselgel nach Stahl" plate, with ethyl acetate).

EXAMPLE 9

(±)-3,3aβ,4,5,6,6aβ,7-hexahydro-4β-hydroxymethyl-5α-hydroxy-2H-cyclopenta[b]furane-2-on [compound of the formula (Id)]

To 9 ml. of a 36 to 38 percent aqueous formaldehyde solution 1 ml. of concentrated sulphuric acid is added with stirring, under cooling, in small portions, whereupon 1 g. (8.0 mmoles) of (±)-3,3aβ,6,6aβ-tetrahydro-2H-cyclopentano[b]furane-2-on is added to the mixture. The flask containing the reaction mixture is closed and kept at 70° C. for 70 to 80 hours. The resultant yellowish-brown oily substance is poured onto 3 g. of sodium carbonate after opening the flask, and the suspension is thoroughly extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate extractions are washed with brine, dried over sodium sulphate, then the ethyl acetate is evaporated. The remaining yellow oil contains as a main component the lactone diol of the formula (Id) accompanied by a compound of the formula (IX), in which R⁵ and R⁶ is hydrogen and by several unidentified side products. The compound of the formula (Id) is isolated by column chromatography as described in Example 3. The physical properties of the obtained racemic compound of the formula (Id) are identical with those of the (-)-enentiomer diol obtained in Example 3, except the melting point. The melting point of the racemic product is 91° to 92° C. 

What we claim is:
 1. A process for the preparation of an optically active or racemic 4-beta, 5-alpha-lactone diol of the Formula I ##STR20## wherein R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, which comprises reacting a racemic or optically active lactone of the Formula II ##STR21## with formaldehyde or with a formaldehyde polymerizate in the presence of a mixture of a strong acid and water to yield a compound of the Formula I.
 2. A process for the preparation of an optically active or racemic 4-beta, 5-alpha-lactone diol derivative of the Formula I ##STR22## wherein R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen or each lower alkanoyl, which comprises the steps of:(a) reacting a racemic or optically active lactone of the Formula II ##STR23## with formaldehyde or with a formaldehyde polymerizate in the presence of a mixture of a strong acid and a lower alkane carboxylic acid unsubstituted or substituted by one, two or three halogen atoms to yield a compound of Formula I wherein R³ and R⁴ are each lower alkanoyl; and (b) wherein R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, hydrolyzing the Compound of Formula I wherein R³ and R⁴ are each lower alkanoyl in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of alkali alkoxides, alkali carbonates or acids and subjecting the compound of Formula I above to alcoholysis in the presence of a mineral acid or aryl sulfonic acid to yield a compound of Formula I wherein R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen.
 3. A process for the preparation of an optically active or racemic 4-beta, 5-alpha-lactone diol of the Formula I ##STR24## wherein R³ and R⁴ are each lower alkanoyl or one of R³ and R⁴ is lower alkanoyl and the other is hydrogen which comprises the steps of:(a) reacting a racemic or optically active lactone of the Formula II. ##STR25## with formaldehyde or with a formaldehyde polymerizate in the presence of a mixture of a strong acid and a lower alkane carboxylic acid unsubstituted or substituted by one, two or three halogen atoms to yield a compound of Formula I wherein R³ and R⁴ are each lower alkanoyl; and (b) wherein one of R³ and R⁴ is hydrogen and the other is lower alkanoyl hydrolyzing the compound of Formula I wherein R³ and R⁴ are each lower alkanoyl in the presence of methanol and p-toluene sulfonic acid to yield a Compound of Formula I wherein one of R³ and R⁴ is hydrogen and the other is lower alkanoyl.
 4. A process for the preparation of an optically active or racemic 4-beta, 5-alpha-lactone diol derivative of the Formula I ##STR26## wherein R³ and R⁴ form together a ##STR27## group wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl; which comprises reacting a compound of Formula I wherein R³ and R⁴ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or lower alkanoyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by one, two or three halogen atoms with a compound of the Formulae:

    R.sup.5 --CHO or R.sup.5 --CO--R.sup.6

or with an acetal thereof to yield a compound of Formula I wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl.
 5. The process defined in claim 2 step (a) for the preparation of the compounds of the formula (I) in which R³ and/or R⁴ is an acetyl group which comprises carrying out the reaction in a reaction medium containing acetic acid as a lower alkane carboxylic acid.
 6. The process defined in claim 2, step (a) which comprises employing sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid or boron trifluoride etherate as a strong acid.
 7. The process defined in claim 2, step (a) for the preparation of a compound of the formula (I) in which R³ and R⁴ are lower alkanoyl which can be substituted with one, two or three halogen atoms, which comprises carrying out the reaction of the lactone of the formula (II) with formaldehyde in the presence of a lower alkane carboxylic acid optionally substituted with one, two or three halogen atoms. 